Feron315

If you look at the update with the rs6/7 performance variant, they got like 30hp and 50nm torque bump vs the base to put it more in line with their BMW and Benz competition. They also had a small diet where they lose some weight with less sound deadening, light rims i think?
I am a little concern about the red stitiching interior as well. The rs6/7 no longer has the basic red stiitching interior and instead you have to choose the red rs design package where they put dynamica over everything, even replacing the carbon trim with it. I am not a big fan of alcantara, they don't wear well and hard to keep clean especially when you have kids.

retom

I guess the RSQ8 refresh will come later. Possibly as a 2025 model. That's why there is RSQ8 MY2024 in the configurator.
Performance version is possible and seems like a logical upgrade step.

Feron315

Does Audi typically separate the refresh for their RS models? Most manufacturer announces all the trims at the same time during a refresh unless there is a significant change in the drivetrain (eg. Adding hybrid). Bmw refreshed it's MX5/6 along with the base x5/6 and even Porsche released it's cayenne turbo GT together with cayenne/s.

retom

There is no rule for that. Audi has often delayed refreshing the RS models.
Porsche in the Cayenne FL has also delayed the Cayenne GTS by a year, which will definitely not arrive until mid-2024.

ThomasWShea

yes i have heard what you are saying about the alcantara. a friend of mine drove a used rsq8 and the alcantara steering wheel was destroyed. it looked like something out of a 12 to 15 year old car to me. don’t know if the driver was a big lotion wearer or what. Then a detailing guy I watch on youtube also talks about how poorly it wears on seats. I do like it on the headliner but that isn’t a surface you touch.

retom

In many cars I had alcantara on the seats and on the steering wheel. Alcantara just needs to be cleaned. There are cleaning agents for this, but you can also do it with soapy water. In fact, alcantara is much easier to maintain than leather, which, even when cleaned and maintained, can crack and become more and more shiny.
Don't be afraid of Alcantara. Properly cleaned, even after years, it can look like new.

namvar

Here's an updated article.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2025-audi-sq8-spied-in-a-premiere-looks-very-tamed-for-a-v8-powered-sac-209632.html

Actual images of both Q8 and SQ8

Mrclopec

Let’s not forget this…

New Audi naming strategy will split EV, ICE cars

retom

I'm more afraid it might be a Q7 Sportback than a Q9. Q9 already exists in the Chinese market.
Maybe they'll leave the Q8 for this generation though. The facelifted A8 and A6 remained.

namvar

Just curious. Why are you concerned with the name change to the Q7 sport back? I kind of like it as we will be going from a Q7 to and "SQ8"